The week that Midwestern dirt Late Model fans wait all year for has finally arrived.
On Labor Day weekend in 1990, Chatsworth, IL’s Snooky Dehm won the inaugural edition of Fairbury Speedway’s new premier event, the Prairie Dirt Classic. The race gained notoriety throughout the region over the next two decades, and once it became part of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series presented by DIRTVision schedule in 2013, it exploded.
The PDC has since become one of the sport’s biggest crown jewel events, bringing all the top teams in the nation and thousands of their fans to the small town of Fairbury, IL for one epic week every July. Every lap turned, party thrown and can crushed builds toward the 100-lap showdown on Saturday night and the ceremonial drive down South Third Street to the Bank of Pontiac.
It’s time to find out who’s next in line to have their name etched into Illinois immortality.
Here are this week’s top storylines:
CHASING NUMBER TWO: One question is going to get asked more than any other across Fairbury this week – Bobby Pierce or the field?
The Oakwood, IL native is rolling into one of his favorite tracks and events in the middle of a summer most could only dream of. He’s won eight of the last 10 World of Outlaws races to bring his total to 17 on the year, one away from tying the all-time Series record. Last week’s break in the schedule didn’t slow Pierce down, as he won the Half Mile Hustle at Adams County Speedway on Tuesday night for his 23rd overall victory of the season.
But a few hours later, that win was the last thing on Pierce’s mind when his father and crew chief, Bob, suffered a stroke. The 74-year-old Hall of Famer had a successful emergency procedure and is expected to be released from the hospital this week.
In the meantime, Pierce returned to the cockpit last weekend in the Silver Dollar Nationals at Shelby County Speedway, where he finished third in the main event. With his father on the road to recovery, Pierce will have his full focus on becoming the sixth multi-time PDC champion this weekend.
FINALLY HIS TURN?: Between Pierce in 2024 and Brian Shirley in 2025, the last two years have seen an Illinois favorite win their home state’s biggest race for the first time. If Nick Hoffman has his way, he’ll make it three in a row on Saturday night.
Hoffman may call Mooresville, NC home now, but his family’s roots are planted in Belleville, IL. He’s won the DIRTcar Summit Racing Equipment Modified Nationals portion of the PDC twice, but a Late Model triumph at Fairbury still eludes him. Hoffman has crossed the line second four times in the past three years, with the most heartbreaking example coming in the 2024 PDC when Pierce cleared him on the final lap.
Finishing right behind Pierce has been something Hoffman has gotten far too familiar with as of late. He’s finished second or third in a race Pierce has won six times in the last eight World of Outlaws stops, and he did it again at Adams County on Tuesday when a broken piston allowed Pierce to take the lead while Hoffman limped home on seven cylinders in third. However, the frustration of all those nights would be washed away if Hoffman could avenge his defeat from two years ago on Saturday.
UP TO SPEED: Zack Mitchell is only two races into his stint as a full-time Outlaw, but he has already fit right in.
Two weeks after Drake Troutman departed G.R. Smith Motorsports, the Enoree, SC driver was announced as his long-term replacement in the No. 22*. The team hit the ground running on night one at Stateline Speedway with a second-place finish, and he backed it up with another Redraw appearance and top 10 three days later at Sharon Speedway.
Upon leaving Sharon, Mitchell traveled back south to spend the World of Outlaws off week running the first four races of the Southern Nationals Series, giving himself four more chances to get acclimated to his new surroundings. While he didn’t win any of them, he was racing at the front in all four races, including a three-way fight for the win on Sunday at Swainsboro Raceway that ended with Mitchell and Wil Herrington in the frontstretch wall.
Mitchell will get his first taste of the PDC experience this week in his Fairbury debut. But as his Stateline podium proved, Mitchell doesn’t need many laps to start running with the best at a new track.
BIG BUCK HUNTER: When there’s a big payday on the line, you can never count out Ryan Gustin.
The Cooney Motorsports No. 19R team hasn’t been as consistent as they would like in recent years, but more often than not; they find a way to bring out their A-game when it matters most. Gustin’s last three World of Outlaws wins have all been worth at least $40,000, including his career-high $100,000 payday at last year’s USA Nationals.
The $50,000 winner’s payout combined with the $500 to the leader of each lap means Gustin could deposit up to $100,000 in his bank account with a perfect night on Saturday. History says he could have a chance in the closing laps – despite struggling in the last two PDCs, Gustin recorded back-to-back top fives in the 100-lapper in 2022 and 2023.
COMING IN HOT: As is the case every year, the World of Outlaws regulars are just a few of the drivers that the eventual winner will have to beat at Fairbury.
One of the biggest names on that list is the newly-crowned Silver Dollar Nationals champion, Ricky Thornton Jr. The driver of the Koehler Motorsports No. 20RT hasn’t had the year that “RTJ” fans have come to expect, but he got back to his winning ways at Shelby County by keeping Pierce behind him the whole way, something few drivers have been able to do this summer. Thornton will look to build on that momentum this weekend as he chases his eighth crown jewel triumph and his second at the PDC.
Another driver who has been trying to shift their 2026 season into high gear is the reigning PDC champion, Brian Shirley. “Squirrel” has only won once this season in DIRTcar Summer Nationals competition at Sycamore Speedway, but a pair of top fives last week at Adams County and Shelby County suggests Shirley and his Bob Cullen Racing team are beginning to turn the corner.
Other stars with the PDC on their schedule this week include 2026 DIRTcar Summer Nationals champion Tanner English, Brandon Sheppard, Hudson O’Neal, Devin Moran, Max Blair, Jason Feger, Garrett Alberson and many more.
WHEN AND WHERE:
Friday-Saturday, July 24-25, at Fairbury Speedway in Fairbury, IL
CURRENT POINT STANDINGS:
1. Bobby Pierce (5365 points)
2. Nick Hoffman (-75)
3. Tyler Erb (-314)
4. Tim McCreadie (-408)
5. Ryan Gustin (-463)
6. Ethan Dotson (-556)
7. Daulton Wilson (-609)
8. Dennis Erb Jr. (-674)
9. Trey Mills (-685)
10. Dustin Sorensen (-770)
FEATURE WINNERS (12):
Bobby Pierce – 17
Nick Hoffman – 6
Tyler Erb – 2
Tim McCreadie – 2
Brandon Sheppard – 2
Hudson O’Neal – 2
Ryan Gustin – 1
Daulton Wilson – 1
Chris Madden – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 1
Mason Zeigler – 1
Mike Marlar – 1
FEATURE TOP FIVES (27):
Nick Hoffman – 31
Bobby Pierce – 29
Tyler Erb – 19
Tim McCreadie – 14
Ryan Gustin – 12
Drake Troutman – 10
Brandon Sheppard – 8
Daulton Wilson – 8
Ethan Dotson – 8
Hudson O’Neal – 7
Chris Madden – 5
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 5
Dennis Erb Jr. – 5
Jonathan Davenport – 5
Mason Zeigler – 2
Dustin Sorensen – 2
Dale McDowell – 2
Brandon Overton – 2
Trey Mills – 2
Ashton Winger – 2
Mike Marlar – 1
Max Blair – 1
Brent Larson – 1
Josh Rice – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Zack Mitchell – 1
Dave Hess Jr. – 1
FEATURE LAPS LED (22):
Bobby Pierce – 519
Nick Hoffman – 219
Daulton Wilson – 106
Tyler Erb – 99
Drake Troutman – 99
Brandon Sheppard – 81
Ryan Gustin – 73
Chris Madden – 73
Hudson O’Neal – 68
Jonathan Davenport – 57
Tim McCreadie – 46
Garrett Alberson – 46
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 41
Mike Marlar – 39
Mason Zeigler – 24
Ethan Dotson – 22
Ashton Winger – 22
Brandon Overton – 12
Michael Leach – 10
Sam Seawright – 5
Dale McDowell – 4
Dallon Murty – 3
BILSTEIN POLE AWARDS (22):
Nick Hoffman – 7
Daulton Wilson – 3
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 3
Drake Troutman – 3
Bobby Pierce – 2
Chris Madden – 2
Ethan Dotson – 2
Tyler Erb – 1
Tim McCreadie – 1
Brandon Sheppard – 1
Hudson O’Neal – 1
Ryan Gustin – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – 1
Jonathan Davenport – 1
Dustin Sorensen – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Tristan Chamberlain – 1
Sam Seawright – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Dallon Murty – 1
SIMPSON QUICK TIME AWARDS (18):
Nick Hoffman – 8
Chris Madden – 5
Bobby Pierce – 3
Tim McCreadie – 3
Tyler Erb – 2
Brandon Sheppard – 2
Hudson O’Neal – 2
Jonathan Davenport – 2
Michael Leach – 2
Daulton Wilson – 1
Drake Troutman – 1
Ethan Dotson – 1
Brandon Overton – 1
Brent Larson – 1
Boom Briggs – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Ross Robinson – 1
Sam Seawright – 1
HEAT RACE WINS (41):
Nick Hoffman – 22
Bobby Pierce – 19
Tyler Erb – 11
Ryan Gustin – 8
Chris Madden – 7
Drake Troutman – 7
Brandon Sheppard – 6
Hudson O’Neal – 6
Daulton Wilson – 6
Tim McCreadie – 5
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 5
Jonathan Davenport – 4
Brandon Overton – 4
Mason Zeigler – 3
Ethan Dotson – 3
Dennis Erb Jr. – 3
Dustin Sorensen – 3
Tristan Chamberlain – 3
Trey Mills – 2
Michael Leach – 2
Dallon Murty – 2
Jared Miley – 2
Mike Marlar – 1
Dale McDowell – 1
Ashton Winger – 1
Brent Larson – 1
Josh Rice – 1
Garrett Alberson – 1
Zack Mitchell – 1
Dave Hess Jr. – 1
Donald McIntosh – 1
Blair Nothdurft – 1
Logan Zarin – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Dan Ebert – 1
Austin Smith – 1
Sam Seawright – 1
Devin Moran – 1
Sam Mars – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Lane Snook – 1
LAST CHANCE SHOWDOWN WINS (38):
Ethan Dotson – 1
Dennis Erb Jr. – 4
Dallon Murty – 1
Ryan Gustin – 3
Daulton Wilson – 3
Josh Rice – 3
Logan Zarin – 3
Tristan Chamberlain – 3
Bobby Pierce – 2
Drake Troutman – 2
Dustin Sorensen – 2
Trey Mills – 2
Boom Briggs – 2
Carson Ferguson – 2
Tim McCreadie – 1
Ricky Thornton Jr. – 1
Brent Larson – 1
Cory Hedgecock – 1
Jake Timm – 1
Cody Overton – 1
Dan Ebert – 1
Michael Leach – 1
Luke Morey – 1
Chris Ferguson – 1
Dalton Cook – 1
Shane Clanton – 1
Michael Page – 1
Jason Feger – 1
Brian Shirley – 1
Derrick Stewart – 1
Chad Simpson – 1
Chris Simpson – 1
Dylan Thornton – 1
Gordy Gundaker – 1
Nick Davis – 1
Dylan Yoder – 1
Lincoln Smith – 1
Wesley McCray – 1
2026 WORLD OF OUTLAWS LATE MODEL SERIES PRESENTED BY DIRTVISION SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Jan. 21 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL (Practice)
Thursday, Jan. 22 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Chris Madden (1)
Friday, Jan. 23 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Hudson O’Neal (1)
Saturday, Jan. 24 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Tim McCreadie (1)
Thursday, Feb. 12 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Nick Hoffman (1)
Friday, Feb. 13 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Nick Hoffman (2)
Saturday, Feb. 14 / Volusia Speedway Park / Barberville, FL / Brandon Sheppard (1)
Thursday, Feb. 19 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL (Practice)
Friday, Feb. 20 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL / Bobby Pierce (1)
Saturday, Feb. 21 / Hendry County Motorsports Park / Clewiston, FL / Nick Hoffman (3)
Friday, March 13 / Volunteer Speedway / Bulls Gap, TN / Mike Marlar (1)
Saturday, March 14 / Smoky Mountain Speedway / Maryville, TN / Bobby Pierce (2)
Thursday, March 19 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS (Practice)
Friday, March 20 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Bobby Pierce (3)
Saturday, March 21 / Magnolia Motor Speedway / Columbus, MS / Hudson O’Neal (2)
Friday, March 27 / East Alabama Motor Speedway / Phenix City, AL / Nick Hoffman (4)
Saturday, March 28 / Senoia Raceway / Senoia, GA / Bobby Pierce (4)
Thursday, April 9 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL (Practice)
Friday, April 10 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Brandon Sheppard (2)
Saturday, April 11 / Farmer City Raceway / Farmer City, IL / Bobby Pierce (5)
Tuesday, April 28 / Independence Motor Speedway / Independence, IA / Bobby Pierce (6)
Thursday, April 30 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Bobby Pierce (7)
Friday, May 1 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Nick Hoffman (5)
Saturday, May 2 / Mississippi Thunder Speedway / Fountain City, WI / Ryan Gustin (1)
Wednesday, May 13 / Georgetown Speedway / Georgetown, DE / Bobby Pierce (8)
Thursday, May 14 / Selinsgrove Speedway / Selinsgrove, PA / Tim McCreadie (2)
Sunday, May 17 / Bedford Speedway / Bedford, PA / Mason Zeigler (1)
Wednesday, May 27 / Marion Center Raceway / Marion Center, PA / Bobby Pierce (9)
Thursday, May 28 / Wayne County Speedway / Orrville, OH / Ricky Thornton Jr. (1)
Friday, May 29 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH / Tyler Erb (1)
Saturday, May 30 / Mansfield Speedway / Mansfield, OH / Nick Hoffman (6)
Friday, June 12 / West Virginia Motor Speedway / Mineral Wells, WV / Bobby Pierce (10)
Saturday, June 13 / West Virginia Motor Speedway / Mineral Wells, WV / Tyler Erb (2)
Saturday, June 20 / 141 Speedway / Maribel, WI / Bobby Pierce (11)
Monday, June 22 / Ogilvie Raceway / Ogilvie, MN / Bobby Pierce (12)
Wednesday, June 24 / I-94 emr Speedway / Fergus Falls, MN / Bobby Pierce (13)
Friday, June 26 / River Cities Speedway / Grand Forks, ND / Bobby Pierce (14)
Sunday, June 28 / Nodak Speedway / Minot, ND / Bobby Pierce (15)
Tuesday, June 30 / Norman County Raceway / Ada, MN / Bobby Pierce (16)
Wednesday, July 8 / Stateline Speedway / Busti, NY / Daulton Wilson (1)
Saturday, July 11 / Sharon Speedway / Hartford, OH / Bobby Pierce (17)
Friday, July 24 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL
Saturday, July 25 / Fairbury Speedway / Fairbury, IL
Thursday, July 30 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Friday, July 31 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Saturday, Aug. 1 / Cedar Lake Speedway / New Richmond, WI
Thursday, Aug. 20 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA (Practice)
Friday, Aug. 21 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA
Saturday, Aug. 22 / Maquoketa Speedway / Maquoketa, IA
Wednesday, Aug. 26 / Southern Iowa Speedway / Oskaloosa, IA
Friday, Aug, 28 / Adams County Speedway / Corning, IA
Saturday, Aug. 29 / Shelby County Speedway / Harlan, IA
Friday, Sept. 25 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Saturday, Sept. 26 / I-55 Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park / Pevely, MO
Friday, Oct. 2 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Saturday, Oct. 3 / Boothill Speedway / Greenwood, LA
Friday, Oct. 23 / Modoc Speedway / Modoc, SC
Saturday, Oct. 24 / Modoc Speedway / Modoc, SC
Wednesday, Nov. 4 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Thursday, Nov. 5 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Friday, Nov. 6 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC
Saturday, Nov. 7 / The Dirt Track at Charlotte / Concord, NC